Team size rules

How it works

1. 1 Count your people three ways: everyone on payroll in Ontario, the workers regularly at your busiest location, and the most on one shift.
2. 2 See every rule that applies at that size, grouped by law, with what it asks of you and the official page for it. Tick off what you already have.
3. 3 Say how many you might hire, and each hire that crosses a line is flagged with what it switches on. Then print the checklist, save the reminders, or copy a summary.

Free, with no account. Everything is worked out in your browser: your headcounts are never sent to us, and there are no names to give. Remember is off unless you turn it on, and then keeps your counts and ticks on this device only.

Good to know

Why three different counts?

Each law counts its own way. Employment standards, accessibility and pay equity count everyone you employ in Ontario. Health and safety counts the workers regularly at each workplace, so two small locations can each stay under a line your total has crossed. First aid goes by the most workers on any one shift, and applies to businesses WSIB covers (verify). See health and safety committees and representatives and WSIB's first aid requirements.

Who counts?

People, not hours: full-time, part-time, casual, seasonal, on probation and on leave each count as one. For pay equity, students hired just for their school vacation are left out, and once you reach 10 you stay covered even if you go back under. See counting employees for pay equity.

Why January 1?

The written policies on disconnecting from work and on electronic monitoring go by one count: how many you employed in Ontario on January 1. At 25 or more, both are due before March 1 that year. Hiring your 25th person in June doesn't start the clock until the next January. See the disconnecting from work policy and the electronic monitoring policy.

Some rules go by payroll instead

Employer Health Tax and severance pay depend on how much you pay, not how many. Most employers with Ontario payroll under $5 million get the first $1 million exempt from the tax. Severance applies once your global payroll is $2.5 million or more, or when 50 or more people lose their jobs within six months because part of the business closes. See the Employer Health Tax exemption and severance pay.

What isn't here

The main provincial rules for a small shop, café, salon or studio. Federal rules, municipal licences, construction projects and unionized workplaces bring more. The tool doesn't know your sector beyond what you picked, so check the official pages before you rely on it.

Guidance, not legal advice.